Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB) is based in Wales House, Brussels close to the European Commission, European Council and European Parliament. Wales House is also home to the Welsh Government EU Office as well as the Brussels office of the National Assembly for Wales.
WHEB represents all Welsh Universities and aims to promote the excellent higher education and research activities in Wales. Being based in Brussels enables WHEB to develop and maintain close links with other European stakeholders, institutions and partners. An office in Brussels enables Welsh universities access to a wide network of potential partners and funding opportunities.
WHEB values its relationships with other regional offices and university representatives in Brussels. WHEB is a founding and active member of the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), a network of more than 100 European regions and universities with Brussels offices. By working together, regional and university representatives can assist with building partnerships in research and innovation. WHEB is also a member of the UNiLiON network of 48 Brussels-based university liaison offices representing almost 150 universities across Europe, Japan and Russia (UNiLiON).
Future Cooperation
Welsh universities are open for research and education collaborations and partnerships with universities, research organisations and businesses across Europe. We value the many colleagues and students from the rest of the EU who have chosen to live, work and study in our universities and who make such an important contribution to Wales.
We are pleased that the negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union on the future relationship reached agreement in December 2020.
Horizon Europe
In particular, it is very positive that the UK is participating in Horizon Europe, the new European research and innovation funding programme which has launched its first calls. Welsh universities are keen to build on the successful collaborations supported by Horizon 2020 and are working with partners across Europe on Horizon Europe calls.
For the latest information on UK participation in Horizon Europe please refer to the factsheets developed by the UK Research Office.
Welsh universities will also continue to participate in Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ programmes until specific projects supported by those programmes conclude.
Governance and Funding
WHEB is funded by all eight Welsh universities as well as HEFCW (the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales). WHEB is also supported by Universities Wales, the representative body for Welsh universities, and works closely with them. The work of WHEB is guided by a Board involving senior representatives from the Welsh higher education sector.